11/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 11, 2026

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Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister o Policies include cutting power rates and improving safety for women

Bodies of missing hikers found JAKARTA: Two Singaporean nationals missing for days were confirmed dead yesterday from the eruption of Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s Halmahera Island, the local rescue agency said. Rescuers found the bodies near the crater rim, and evacuation was under way, said agency head Iwan Ramdani. “Evacuation of the bodies is still hampered by eruptions that continue to occur, and bad weather,” Iwan said, adding that it was raining in the area. Some 150 personnel with two thermal drones have been deployed, Iwan said, with the focus of the search around 100m to 150m of the crater rim. Mount Dukono in North Maluku province bordering the Pacific Ocean began erupting on Friday, spewing ash as high as 10km. It has continued to erupt at a lower scale. The area around the crater was still blanketed in volcanic ash, Iwan said, adding that the search area is about 1.25km from the last known location of the victims. Rescuers had found backpacks suspected to belong to the two Singaporeans and the authorities on Saturday confirmed that one Indonesian hiker, who had gone missing, was dead. Seventeen people, including seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians, survived the incident. The surviving Singaporeans flew home yesterday, Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said. It was unclear when the bodies of the two who died will be returned. – Reuters 15 dead in car bomb attack PESHAWAR: Gunmen detonated a car bomb at a checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan and opened fire on police, killing at least 15 and wounding three, officials said yesterday. “Last night in the Fateh Khel area of Bannu, a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle full of explosives into a police checkpoint, after which gunmen entered the post,” said Bannu police official Muhammad Sajjad Khan. He said 15 officers were confirmed dead, the latest attack in the border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a wave of militancy that has strained ties between Islamabad and Kabul. Officials said the gunmen also used small drones in the attack. “They used quadcopters along with heavy weaponry,” a senior administrative official in Bannu told AFP on condition of anonymity. He said more than 100 gunmen took part in the attack. “In addition, while retreating, the attackers took police personnel and weapons from the station with them,” he said. Bannu has been gripped in recent years by militant activity. The Afghan government denies Pakistan’s accusations that its territory is a safe harbour for militants, but the frosty relationship has spiralled into armed conflict, including Pakistani airstrikes on cities in Afghanistan in recent months. – AFP

CHENNAI: Indian film star C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu state yesterday after his new party brokered a coalition in the southern industrial hub. The swearing-in ceremony followed days of high drama in the state capital Chennai, where Vijay’s fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party initially struggled to secure support from smaller parties after state elections. Vijay’s TVK, founded only two years ago, emerged as the single largest party after the vote with 108 seats in Tamil Nadu’s 234-member legislative assembly, short of a simple majority. However, it won support from other parties, including the opposition Congress, to take its number of seats to 120, making it possible for Vijay to claim the top job. Thousands of supporters gathered in Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium yesterday, chanting “Mudhalvar”, or “chief minister” in Tamil, to watch Vijay take his oath of office. “I am not from a royal political background, just a common man,” the 51-year-old told the crowd. “My primary focus will be on basic issues such as education, ration supplies, healthcare, drinking water, roads and bus facilities,” he said. Vijay’s first set of policies included measures to ease electricity prices and improve women’s safety. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay, saying the central government would work with his administration to “improve the lives of people”. Vijay began his career as a child actor in 1984 in a movie directed by his filmmaker father. Known for his charismatic screen presence and mass appeal, his fans dubbed him “Thalapathy”, or “leader” in Tamil. His blockbuster hits blended action, social messaging and populist themes, burnishing his reputation as a voice for the common man. He cultivated his public image over the years by taking on roles that involved subjects ranging from farmers’ issues to electoral manipulation. He launched TVK in 2024 with a promise to end corruption and strengthen social justice. Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most significant economic engines, with its industrial sector producing everything from cars to electronics. The state is also India’s smartphone manufacturing hub, including for Apple iPhones. TVK’s campaign sought to end the dominance of Dravida

Vijay (left) and Gandhi make the victory sign after the swearing-in. – REUTERSPIC

thousands of fans, but were also marred by allegations of crowd mismanagement. A stampede at a rally in September killed at least 40 people. However, it did little to dent his popularity. – AFP

from young people for a new political leader, was behind his stunning election performance. Vijay, a political novice, now faces the challenge of turning that popularity into policy. His campaign rallies drew

Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, traditional parties that had ruled the state since the late 1960s. Analysts said Vijay’s large fan following, combined with demands

Asean pledges zero tolerance for drug trafficking MANILA: Asean pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the narcotics trade as part of its efforts to build a drug-free region, the Philippine News Agency reported. strengthen community resilience and raise public awareness. The leaders lauded the continued contributions of the Asean Narcotics Cooperation Promoting

the to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development. The bloc sought stronger collaboration with national peace institutions, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive peace processes. They emphasised the need to advance peace initiatives by allowing women and youth to take part in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts. – Bernama Right

during the summit was the continued implementation of the Asean Workplan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs, anchored on the Asean Political Security Community Strategic Plan. The priority deliverables would complement the member-states’ shared objectives for a “safe and secure Asean”, the Asean chair said. Asean would also observe Asean Drug Victims Remembrance Day on June 26, in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, highlighting the region’s concerted efforts to

Centre, particularly its publication of the yearly Asean Drug Monitoring Report , as a key initiative supporting efforts to combat illegal drugs. They likewise expressed support for the continued discussions on the Asean Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, as well as the Asean Declaration on

During the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meeting in Cebu, the bloc acknowledged the important role of the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) in advancing regional coordination to address the proliferation of illegal drugs. Regional leaders expressed support for the biennial AMMD. Among the commitments made